Bibliograph

Founding acts, constitutional origins in a democratic age, Serdar Tekin

Type

Label

Founding acts, constitutional origins in a democratic age, Serdar Tekin

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references and index

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Founding acts

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

927401401

Responsibility statement

Serdar Tekin

Sub title

constitutional origins in a democratic age

Summary

All democratic constitutions feature 'the people' as their author and ultimate source of legitimacy. They claim to embody the political form that citizens are in some sense supposed to have given themselves. But in what sense, exactly? When does a constitution really or genuinely speak for the people? Such questions are especially pertinent to our present condition, where the voice of 'the people' turns out to be irrevocably fragmented, and people themselves want to speak and be heard in their own voices. Founding Acts explores the relationship between constitutional claims of popular sovereignty and the practice of constitution-making in our pluralistic age. Serdar Tekin argues that the process of making a constitution, or its pedigree, is as morally and politically significant as its content. Consequently, democratic constitution-making is not only about making a democratic constitution but also about making it, as much as possible, democratically. Tekin develops two overarching arguments in support of this claim. First, citizen participation in the process of constitution-making is essential to the democratic legitimacy of a new constitution. Second, collective action, that is, the political experience of constructing public life together, is what binds diverse people into a democratic peoplehood. Bringing into dialogue a wide range of canonical and contemporary thinkers, Tekin examines historical realities extending from revolutionary America and France to contemporary South Africa and Germany.--, Provided by publisher

Table Of Contents

The problem of democratic founding -- Origins and foundations : two features of the modern constitution -- The paradox of democratic founding : canonical statements and contemporary perspectives -- The people and the lawgiver : Rousseau on the possibility of democratic founding -- Building a homeland : founding and identity in Hanna Arendt's Jewish writings -- Revolution and constitution : the legitimacy of beginning in question -- Law and democracy in founding moments : deliberative constitution-making -- The act by which a people is a people

Classification